Polarizer and organic light emitting display apparatus including the same

ABSTRACT

A polarizer and an organic light emitting display apparatus including the polarizer. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a polarizer includes a substrate and a plurality of electrode units separated from each other on the substrate and formed in a stripe pattern. Each of the electrode units includes a first surface facing the substrate and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface having a width smaller than a width of the second surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2006-0103686, filed on Oct. 24, 2006, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a polarizer and an organic lightemitting display apparatus including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Among flat panel display apparatuses, organic or inorganic displayapparatuses are emissive display apparatuses that receive attention asthe next generation of display apparatuses due to their wide viewingangles, high contrast, and high response speeds. Also, organic lightemitting display apparatuses in which a light emitting layer is formedof an organic material have higher brightness, lower driving voltage,and higher response speed than inorganic light emitting displayapparatuses, and can provide multicolored images.

Flat panel display apparatuses are manufactured to be lightweight andslim so that they can be used outdoors. When an image is viewedoutdoors, contrast and visibility of the image is reduced due toreflection of external light. In particular, in an organic lightemitting display apparatus, the amount of reflection may be greatbecause of a metal reflection film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention respectively provide a polarizer forincreasing contrast and visibility of a corresponding display apparatusand a light emitting display apparatus having the polarizer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a polarizerincludes a substrate and a plurality of electrode units separated fromeach other on the substrate and formed in a stripe pattern. Each of theelectrode units includes a first surface facing the substrate and asecond surface opposite the first surface, the first surface having awidth smaller than a width of the second surface.

The electrode units may include at least one of aluminum, silver, orchromium, and the polarizer may further include a blackened layer onsurfaces of each of the electrode units for absorbing external light.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method offorming a polarizer includes: forming a plurality of electrode unitsseparated from each other in a stripe pattern on a substrate; andblackening surfaces of the electrode units using a chemical process.Each of the electrode units includes a first surface facing thesubstrate and a second surface opposite the first surface, the firstsurface having a width smaller than a width of the second surface.

The blackening surfaces of the electrode units may include: removingoxides from the surfaces of the electrode units; and processing thesurfaces of the electrode units using a solution including nitric acid,potassium permanganate, and copper nitrate.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an organiclight emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate; an organic lightemitting device formed on the substrate and adapted to display an image;a sealing member formed on the organic light emitting device; aquarter-wave layer formed on one of the substrate, the organic lightemitting device, or the sealing member; and a linear polarizing layerformed on one of the substrate, the organic light emitting device, thesealing member, or the quarter-wave layer. A distance between the linearpolarizing layer and a location at which the image is displayed issmaller than a distance between the quarter-wave layer and the locationat which the image is displayed. The linear polarizing layer includes aplurality of electrode units, each of the electrode units having a firstsurface facing incoming external light and a second surface opposite thefirst surface, the first surface having a width smaller than a width ofthe second surface.

The image may be displayed towards the substrate, the quarter-wave layermay be formed on the linear polarizing layer, and the organic lightemitting device may be formed on the quarter-wave layer.

The image may be displayed towards the substrate, the linear polarizinglayer may be formed on the substrate, the quarter-wave layer may beformed on the linear polarizing layer, the linear polarizing layer maybe formed on the substrate, and the organic light emitting device may beformed on the quarter-wave layer.

The image may be displayed towards the substrate, the quarter-wave layermay be formed on a first surface of the substrate, the organic lightemitting device may be formed on the quarter-wave layer, and the linearpolarizing layer may be formed on a second surface of the substrate, thesecond surface of the substrate being opposite the first surface of thesubstrate.

The image may be displayed towards the substrate, the organic lightemitting device may be formed at a first surface of the substrate, andthe quarter-wave layer and the linear polarizing layer may besequentially formed on a second surface of the substrate, the secondsurface of the substrate being opposite the first surface of thesubstrate.

The image may be displayed towards the sealing member, the quarter-wavelayer may be formed on the organic light emitting device, and the linearpolarizing layer may be formed on the quarter-wave layer.

The organic light emitting display apparatus may further include apassivation film formed between the organic light emitting device andthe quarter-wave layer.

The image may be displayed towards the sealing member, the quarter-wavelayer and the linear polarizing layer may be sequentially formed on asurface of the sealing member opposite a surface of the sealing memberon which the organic light emitting device is formed.

The image may be displayed towards the sealing member, the quarter-wavelayer may be formed on a surface of the sealing member facing theorganic light emitting device, and the linear polarizing layer may beformed on a surface of the sealing member opposite a surface of thesealing member on which the quarter-wave layer is formed.

The image may be displayed towards the sealing member, the linearpolarizing layer may be formed on a surface of the sealing member facingthe organic light emitting device, and the quarter-wave layer may beformed on a surface of the linear polarizing layer facing the organiclight emitting device.

The organic light emitting display apparatus may further include areflection film interposed between the substrate and the organic lightemitting device. The image may be displayed towards the sealing member,the quarter-wave layer may be formed between the reflection film and theorganic light emitting device, and the linear polarizing layer may beformed on the organic light emitting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and aspects of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in more detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a polarizeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional viewsillustrating bottom emission type organic light emitting displayapparatuses and enlarged views of linear polarizing layers thereof,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are schematiccross-sectional views illustrating top emission type organic lightemitting display apparatuses and enlarged views of linear polarizinglayers thereof, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating abottom emission passive matrix (PM) type organic light emitting displayapparatus and an enlarged view of linear polarizing layers thereof,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating abottom emission active matrix (AM) type organic light emitting displayapparatus and an enlarged view of linear polarizing layers thereof,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a topemission PM type organic light emitting display apparatus and anenlarged view of linear polarizing layers thereof, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a topemission AM type organic light emitting display apparatus and anenlarged view of linear polarizing layers thereof, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown.

In one exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, acircular polarizer is provided on a surface of a flat panel displayapparatus (e.g., an organic light emitting display apparatus). Thecircular polarizer includes a linear polarizing plate formed as a wireelectrode by forming a linear pattern using a thin metal. In such anarrangement, the wire electrode formed of a material that includes ametal reduces contrast and brightness of the flat panel displayapparatus by reflecting external light or light generated in the flatpanel display apparatus due to the material used to form the wireelectrode.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a polarizer 10according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is across-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the polarizer 10 includes a substrate 11 anda plurality of electrode units 12.

The substrate 11, in one embodiment, can be formed of a transparentmaterial such that light generated from a display apparatus, on whichthe polarizer 10 is disposed, can be transmitted thereby. By way ofexample, the substrate 11 can be formed of glass or flexible plastic. Inone embodiment, the substrate 11 is formed of a material that includes aplastic film.

The plurality of electrode units 12 are formed on the substrate 11. Theelectrode units 12, in one embodiment, are formed to polarize lightwaves of a certain wavelength (or wavelengths) and can be formed of aconductive material such as aluminium, silver, chromium, or an alloy oftwo or more of these metals in a stripe pattern in which conductivelines are separated from each other and run parallel to each other.

The plurality of electrode units 12 are separated at a distance P (whichmay be predetermined) from each other. The distance P is a factor fordetermining the performance of the polarizer 10. In one embodiment, ifthe distance P between the electrode units 12 is greater than thewavelengths of incident light, the polarizer 10 may perform mainly as adiffraction grid instead of a polarizer. In contrast, in the describedembodiment, if the distance P between the electrode units 12 is smallerthan the wavelengths of the incident light, the polarizer 10 may mainlyperform as a polarizer.

Each of the plurality of electrode units 12 includes a first surface 12a having a first width w1 and facing the substrate 11 and a secondsurface 12 b that is the surface of the electrode unit 12 that isopposite the first surface 12 a and that has a second width w2 which isgreater than the first width w1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, externallight, which may include light from any external light source, isincident on and enters through a bottom surface of the substrate 11.Here, the area of the surface at which the external light is reflectedis relatively reduced since the first width w1 of the first surface 12 a(which faces the incoming external light) is smaller than the secondwidth w2 of the second surface 12 b of the electrode unit 12.Accordingly, the amount of external light reflected by the metal of theelectrode units 12 is reduced. To increase (or maximize) this effect, asdepicted in FIG. 2, the shape of the electrode units 12 can be formed tohave an inversed triangular structure by reducing the width of theelectrode units 12 from the second width w2 down to the first width w1of the first surface 12 a towards the entry of the external light. Theinversed triangular structure can be formed by using a mask to pattern aconductive material for forming the electrode units 12 after theconductive material is coated on the substrate 11. In one embodiment,when patterning the conductive material using a mask, the conductivematerial can be etched to have an inversed tapered shape by controllingthe concentration of an etching solution and etching speed.Alternatively, the same shape can be obtained by controlling a dryetching speed.

In one embodiment, the entire surface of the electrode units 12including side surfaces 12 c of the electrode units 12 can be blackened.External light can be reflected at the side surfaces 12 c of theelectrode units 12 due to a tapered structure of the electrode units 12.Here, the reflection of the external light can be reduced (or minimized)by blackening side surfaces 12 c of the electrode units 12.

In order to blacken the side surfaces 12 c of the electrode units 12, inone embodiment, a metal oxide film formed on the surfaces of theelectrode units 12 is removed using a mechanical method or an acid.Here, various acids can be used to remove the metal oxide film bycontrolling the concentration of the acids according to the material theelectrode units 12 are formed of. The acids can be a chrome acidsolution or a mixed solution made by mixing chrome acid and phosphoricacid. The electrode units 12 are processed with a chemical solutionafter the metal oxide film is removed. The chemical solution can be amixed solution made of water, nitric acid, copper nitrate, and potassiumpermanganate, for example, a mixed solution that includes 1 L of water,5 ml of nitric acid, 25 g of copper nitrate, and 10 g of potassiumpermanganate. A blackened layer 12 d (see, for example, FIG. 2) isformed on the entire surface of the electrode unit 12 including the sidesurfaces 12 c of the electrode unit 12 by the blackening process using achemical solution as described above.

The polarizer 10 according to the described embodiments of the presentinvention can be used for a variety of flat panel display apparatusessuch as an organic light emitting display apparatus. For illustrativepurposes only, embodiments used for an organic light emitting displayapparatus will be described below. The organic light emitting displayapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention does notrequire an additional substrate 11 for the polarizer 10. Rather, in oneembodiment, a linear polarizing layer including a plurality of electrodeunits 12 is directly formed on a substrate of the organic light emittingdisplay apparatus, and a sealing member is included in the organic lightemitting display apparatus. The electrode units 12 of the linearpolarizing layer which will be described later are substantiallyidentical to the electrode units 12 in the polarizer 10 according toembodiments described above, and, thus, a more detailed description ofthe structure, material(s), and manufacturing method thereof will not beprovided below. In one embodiment, blackened layers 12 d can be formedon the electrode units 12 in substantially the same manner as inpreviously described embodiments of the polarizer 10, and, thus, a moredetailed description thereof will also not be provided below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an organic lightemitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 3, the organic light emitting displayapparatus includes a linear polarizing layer 22, a quarter-wave layer21, an organic light emitting device 30, and a sealing membersequentially formed on a substrate 20 which is formed of a transparentmaterial.

In one embodiment, the substrate 20 can be formed of a transparent glassmaterial including SiO₂ as a main component. In one embodiment, a bufferlayer can further be included on an upper surface of the transparentsubstrate 20 to improve a planarity of the substrate 20 and to block thepenetration of impure elements. In one embodiment, the buffer layer canbe formed of SiO₂ and/or SiNx. However, the substrate 20 according toembodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto, and, by wayof example, can be formed of a transparent plastic material.

The linear polarizing layer 22 is formed on the substrate 20. FIG. 4 isan enlarged view of portion A of the linear polarizing layer 22 shown inFIG. 3. The linear polarizing layer 22 includes a plurality of electrodeunits 12. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a bottom emission type organic lightemitting display apparatus, and, thus, external light that is incidenton the bottom emission type organic light emitting display apparatus mayenter through a bottom surface of the substrate 20. As such, each of theelectrode units 12 has a tapered structure in which a surface of theelectrode unit 12 facing the substrate 20 has a width smaller than thatof the opposite surface of the electrode unit 12 facing the quarter-wavelayer 21. The methods of manufacturing the electrode units 12 aresubstantially identical to the methods described earlier with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, and, thus, a more detailed description thereof willnot be provided below.

In one embodiment, the quarter-wave layer 21 is formed on the linearpolarizing layer 22 by obliquely depositing an inorganic material. Here,minute columns extend from a surface of the linear polarizing layer 22in an oblique direction. The oblique direction of the columnscorresponds to a crystal growing direction. When an inorganic materialis deposited, the inorganic material grows in a cylindrical shape.Accordingly, in an oblique deposition, the cylindrical shape inclines atan angle (which may be predetermined) with respect to a horizontaldirection, e.g., a direction along which the substrate 20 extends. As aresult, a birefringence characteristic can be provided to thequarter-wave layer 21.

In one embodiment, the quarter-wave layer 21 can be formed of variousinorganic materials such as TiO₂ or TaOx, and, in another embodiment,when the quarter-wave layer 21 is formed of CaO or BaO, a moistureabsorbing function can be provided to the quarter-wave layer 21.

The organic light emitting device 30 is formed on the quarter-wave layer21. In regard to the stacking sequence of the quarter-wave layer 21 andthe linear polarizing layer 22, the linear polarizing layer 22 isdisposed closer to the entry of the external light, and the quarter-wavelayer 21 is disposed on an inner side of the linear polarizing layer 22.In one embodiment, another light transmitting member can be interposedbetween the quarter-wave layer 21 and the linear polarizing layer 22.

The organic light emitting device 30 includes a first electrode 31, asecond electrode 33 facing the first electrode 31, and an organic lightemitting layer 32 interposed between the first and second electrodes 31and 33. In one embodiment, the first electrode 31 can be formed of atransparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indiumzinc oxide (IZO), In₂O₃, and/or ZnO, in a pattern (which may be apredetermined pattern) using a photolithography method. In oneembodiment, in a passive matrix (PM) type organic light emitting device,the pattern of the first electrode 31 can include stripe shaped linesseparated by a distance (which may be predetermined) from each other,and, in another embodiment, in an active matrix (AM) type organic lightemitting device, the first electrode 31 can be formed to have a shapecorresponding to pixels of the device. The second electrode 33 isdisposed above the first electrode 31. In one embodiment, the secondelectrode 33 can include a reflective electrode formed of aluminium,silver and/or calcium, and can act as a cathode electrode by beingconnected to an external terminal. In a PM type organic light emittingdevice, the second electrode 33 can have a stripe shape crossing thefirst electrode 31, and in an AM type organic light emitting device, thesecond electrode 33 can be formed on the entire active region on whichan image is displayed. The polarities of the first electrode 31 and thesecond electrode 33 are not limited thereto and may be reversed.

The organic light emitting layer 32 interposed between the firstelectrode 31 and the second electrode 33 emits light by electricallydriving the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33. In oneembodiment, the organic light emitting layer 32 can be formed of a lowmolecular organic material or a polymer organic material. In oneembodiment, when the organic light emitting layer 32 is formed of a lowmolecular organic material, a hole transport layer (HTL) and a holeinjection layer (HIL) are further stacked between the first electrode 31and the organic light emitting layer 32, and an electron transport layer(ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL) are further stacked betweenthe second electrode 33 and the organic light emitting layer 32. Inaddition to (or other than) the above mentioned layers, other variouslayers can be stacked as necessary. The low molecular organic materialcan be one of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc),N,N′-Di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N′-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB),tris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum)(Alq3), or the like.

In the described embodiment, when the organic light emitting layer 32 isformed of a polymer organic material, only a hole transport layer (HTL)can be included between the first electrode 31 and the organic lightemitting layer 32. The HTL is formed on the first electrode 31 and canbe formed of poly-(2,4)-ethylene-dihydroxy thiophene (PEDOT) and/orpolyaniline (PANI) using inkjet printing and/or spin coating. Theorganic light emitting layer 32 can be formed according to a coloredpattern using poly-phenylenevinylene (PPV), soluble PPV's, Cyano-PPV's,and/or polyfluorene by a conventional method such as inkjet printing,spin coating, and/or thermal transferring using a laser.

Light generated from the organic light emitting device 30 according tothe embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 is emitted through the substrate 20.Thus, an image is viewed at a bottom surface of the substrate 20 in FIG.3. In the bottom type organic light emitting device, contrast can bereduced due to external light, e.g., sun light, incident on thesubstrate 20.

However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, thereflection of external light can be reduced (or minimized) since thelinear polarizing layer 22 and the quarter-wave layer 21 form a circularpolarizing layer. Of the external light entering from (or at) a bottomsurface of the substrate 20, a component corresponding to an absorptionaxis of the linear polarizing layer 22 is absorbed by the linearpolarizing layer 22, and a component corresponding to a transmittingaxis thereof is transmitted by the linear polarizing layer 22. Thecomponent of the external light corresponding to the transmitting axisof the linear polarizing layer 22 is transformed to circularly polarizedlight that rotates in a first direction as a result of passing throughthe quarter-wave layer 21. The circularly polarized light is reflectedby the second electrode 33 of the organic light emitting device 30. Whenthe circularly polarized light is reflected by the second electrode 33,the circularly polarized light that rotates in the first directionbecomes a circularly polarized light that rotates in a second direction,and the circularly polarized light that rotates in the second directionis transformed to linearly polarized light polarized in a directioncrossing the transmitting axis, i.e. a direction corresponding to theabsorption axis of the linear polarizing layer 22. As such, the linearlypolarized light cannot be transmitted through the bottom surface of thesubstrate 20 since the linearly polarized light, which is polarized inthe direction of the absorption axis of the linear polarizing layer 22,is thus absorbed by the linear polarizing layer 22. Accordingly, thereflection of the external light is reduced (or minimized), and hence,contrast of the organic light emitting display apparatus can be furtherimproved.

The linear polarizing layer 22 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention includes the plurality of electrode units 12. The electrodeunits 12 have a smaller reflection surface with reference to theexternal light since, in each of the electrode units 12, a surface thatfaces the incoming external light has a width smaller than that of theopposite surface of the electrode unit 12. When the external lightincident to the substrate 20 reaches the linear polarizing layer 22, thereflection of the external light is reduced (or minimized) by (or at)the electrode units 12 formed of a metal, thereby increasing contrast ofthe organic light emitting display apparatus.

In one embodiment, surfaces of the electrode units 12 can be blackened.Here, the contrast can be further increased since reflection by (or at)side surfaces of the electrode units 12 can be reduced.

The organic light emitting display apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention has a structure that does not require anadhesive layer since the quarter-wave layer 21 and the linear polarizinglayer 22 are directly formed on the substrate. Therefore, an organiclight emitting display apparatus having a reduced thickness can berealized. Also, the organic light emitting display apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention can have an increasedbrightness since an image realized from the light emitting layer doesnot need to be transmitted through an adhesive layer.

The linear polarizing layer 22 and the quarter-wave layer 21 can beformed in any of various suitable ways. As will be described in moredetail below, the structure of the linear polarizing layer 22 and thequarter-wave layer 21 can also be applied to a top emission type organiclight emitting device as well as the bottom emission type organic lightemitting device described above by making appropriate modifications inconsideration of the incident direction of the external light.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another exampleof a bottom emission type organic light emitting display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. A linear polarizinglayer 22 is formed on a surface of a substrate 20 facing outside (e.g.,facing the incoming external light), and a quarter-wave layer 21 isformed on the opposite surface of the substrate 20. An organic lightemitting device 30 is formed on the quarter-wave layer 21. An enlargedview of portion B of FIG. 5, that is, a more detailed structure of thelinear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG. 6. The linear polarizinglayer 22 includes a plurality of electrode units 12. In each of theelectrode units 12, a surface that does not face the substrate 20 butrather faces the incoming external light has a width smaller than theopposite surface of the electrode unit 12. A more detailed descriptionof each of the electrode units 12 will not be provided below since theseelements are substantially identical to those of previously describedembodiments. In the present embodiment, external light entering throughthe substrate 20 is linearly polarized into linearly polarized lighthaving a polarization direction parallel to a transmitting axis of thelinear polarizing layer 22 as a result of passing through the linearpolarizing layer 22. The linearly polarized light is transformed to acircularly polarized light that rotates in a first direction as a resultof passing through the quarter-wave layer 21 via the substrate 20, andis transformed to a circularly polarized light rotating in a seconddirection as a result of being reflected by a second electrode 33. Thecircularly polarized light rotating in the second direction istransformed to a linearly polarized light having a polarizationdirection crossing the transmitting axis of the linear polarizing layer22 as a result of passing through the quarter-wave layer 21, and thus,the linearly polarized light cannot pass through the linear polarizinglayer 22. Therefore, external light which has entered the organic lightemitting display apparatus and is reflected therein cannot betransmitted back out and thus is not viewed at a bottom surface of thesubstrate 20, that is, the reflection of the external light is reduced,thereby increasing contrast of the organic light emitting displayapparatus.

Furthermore, as described above, the linear polarizing layer 22 includesthe plurality of electrode units 12, and, in each of the electrode units12, a surface that faces the incoming external light has a width smallerthan that of the opposite surface of the electrode unit 12 such that asurface area at which the external light can be reflected is reduced. Asa result, contrast is increased due to the reduction of the reflectionof the external light. In one embodiment, the reflection of the externallight can further be reduced by blackening the electrode units 12.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another exampleof bottom emission type organic light emitting display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. A quarter-wavelayer 21 and a linear polarizing layer 22 are sequentially formed on asurface of a substrate 20 that faces outside, i.e. that faces theincoming external light, and an organic light emitting device 30 isformed on the opposite surface of the substrate 20. Each of the elementsare substantially the same as corresponding elements of previouslydescribed embodiments, and, thus, more detailed descriptions thereofwill not be provided below.

An enlarged view of portion C of FIG. 7, that is, a more detailedstructure of the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG. 8. Thelinear polarizing layer 22 includes a plurality of electrode units 12.The electrode units 12 are formed under a quarter-wave layer 21. In eachof the electrode units 12, a surface that faces the quarter-wave layer21 has a width greater than that the opposite surface of the electrodeunit 12.

As in previously described embodiments, in each of the electrode units12, a surface that faces the incoming external light has a width smallerthan that of the opposite surface of the electrode unit 12 such thatareas of surfaces that reflect the external light are reduced, therebyincreasing contrast.

Up until now, a bottom emission type organic light emitting displayapparatus in which an image is displayed at a substrate 20 (i.e., at abottom surface of the display apparatus) has been described. However,the present invention is not limited thereto, and embodiments of thepresent invention can also be applied to a top emission type organiclight emitting display apparatus in which an image realized from a lightemitting layer is not displayed at the substrate 20, but is displayed ata surface of the display apparatus opposite the substrate 20.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a top emission typeorganic light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The organic light emitting display apparatusincludes a substrate 20, a reflection film 34 on the substrate 20, anorganic light emitting device 30, and a sealing member 50.

In one embodiment, the substrate 20 can be formed of a transparent glassas described previously, but does not necessarily need to betransparent. In one embodiment, the substrate 20 can be formed of aplastic or a metal to have a certain flexibility. Here, an insulatingfilm can further be formed on a surface thereof if the substrate 20 isformed of metal.

The reflection film 34 formed on a surface of the substrate 20 can beformed of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, or a compound of twoor more of these metals. A first electrode 31 can be formed on thereflection film 34 using a material having a high work function such asITO, IZO, ZnO, and/or In₂O₃. Here, the first electrode 31 acts as ananode electrode. If the first electrode 31 is to act as a cathodeelectrode, the first electrode 31 can be formed of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd,Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, or a compound of two or more of these metals suchthat the first electrode 31 can also be used as the reflection film 34.Hereinafter, for purposes of illustration only, embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in more detail on the basis of usingthe first electrode 31 as an anode electrode.

In one embodiment, a second electrode 33 is a transparent electrode. Thesecond electrode can be formed as a thin semi-permeable membrane using ametal having a low work function such as Li, Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Mg, Ag, orthe like. The problem associated with a high resistance of the thinmetal semi-permeable membrane can be solved by forming a transparentconductor using ITO, IZO, ZnO, and/or In₂O₃ on the metal semi-permeablemembrane.

An organic light emitting layer 32 is formed between the first andsecond electrodes 31 and 33, and is substantially identical to theorganic light emitting layer 32 in previously described embodiments.

The sealing member 50 for sealing the organic light emitting device 30is formed on the organic light emitting device 30. The sealing member 50is formed to prevent the organic light emitting device 30 from beingexposed to external moisture or oxygen, and can be formed of atransparent material. Here, the sealing member 50 may include a glasssubstrate, a plastic substrate, or a layered structure of organic andinorganic materials.

A quarter-wave layer 21 and a linear polarizing layer 22 aresequentially formed on an upper surface of the sealing member 50, thatis, a surface that does not face the organic light emitting device 30but rather faces away from the organic light emitting device 30. Anenlarged view of portion D of FIG. 9, that is, a more detailed structureof the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG. 10. A plurality ofelectrode units 12 are formed on the quarter-wave layer 21. In each ofthe electrode units 12, a surface that faces the incoming external lighthas a width smaller than that of the opposite surface of the electrodeunit 12. Referring to FIG. 10, the surface of the electrode unit 12 thatfaces the quarter-wave layer 21 is wider than the opposite surface ofthe electrode unit 12 that faces the incoming external light. Accordingto the present embodiment, external light incident on a top surface ofthe organic light emitting display apparatus, that is, the externallight entering from above the linear polarizing layer 22 in FIG. 9, isreflected by a surface of the reflection film 34 after sequentiallypassing through the linear polarizing layer 22 and the quarter-wavelayer 21, but the external light reflected by the surface of thereflection film 34 cannot finally pass through the linear polarizinglayer 22 due to reasons explained in previously described embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 10, in each of the electrode units 12, a surface thatfaces the incoming external light has a width smaller than that of theopposite surface to reduce an area of an external light reflectionsurface of the electrode unit 12 when the external light enters fromabove the linear polarizing layer 22. As a result, the reflection of theexternal light is reduced (or minimized), thereby increasing contrast ofthe organic light emitting display apparatus.

Also, in one embodiment, the reflection of the external light by sidesurfaces of the electrode units 12 can further be reduced by blackeningthe entire surface of the electrode units 12.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of a topemission type organic light emitting display apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present invention. A linear polarizing layer22 and a quarter-wave layer 21 are sequentially formed on a surface ofthe sealing member 50 that faces the organic light emitting device 30.An enlarged view of portion E of FIG. 11, that is, a more detailedstructure of the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG. 12. Aplurality of electrode units 12 are formed on a bottom surface of thesealing member 50. In each of the electrode units 12, a surface thatfaces the sealing member 50, that is, the surface that faces theincoming external light has a width smaller than that of the oppositesurface that faces the quarter-wave layer 21. More detailed descriptionsof the structure of the organic light emitting display apparatus and theeffects of the structure will not be provided below since the structure,except the locations of the quarter-wave layer 21 and the linearpolarizing layer 22, and the effect thereof are substantially identicalto those described in a previous embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a topemission type organic light emitting display apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present invention. A linear polarizing layer22 is formed on a surface of a sealing member 50 that faces outside,i.e., that faces the incoming external light, and a quarter-wave layer21 is formed on another surface of the sealing member 50 that faces anorganic light emitting device 30. An enlarged view of portion F of FIG.13, that is, a more detailed structure of the linear polarizing layer22, is shown in FIG. 14. A plurality of electrode units 12 are formed onan upper surface of the sealing member 50. In each of the electrodeunits 12, a surface that faces the sealing member 50 is formed to bewider than the opposite surface which faces the incoming external light.More detailed descriptions of the structure of the organic lightemitting display apparatus and the effects of the structure are notprovided below since the structure, except the locations of thequarter-wave layer 21 and the linear polarizing layer 22, and the effectof the structure are substantially identical to those described in aprevious embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another exampleof a top emission type organic light emitting display apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. A reflectionfilm 34, an organic light emitting device 30, a quarter-wave layer 21,and a linear polarizing layer 22 are sequentially formed on a substrate20. An enlarged view of portion G of FIG. 15, that is, a more detailedstructure of the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG. 16. Aplurality of electrode units 12 are formed on the quarter-wave layer 21.In each of the electrode units 12, a surface that faces the quarter-wavelayer 21 is formed to be wider than the opposite surface which faces theincoming external light. In one embodiment, a passivation layer 40 canbe formed between a second electrode layer 33 and the quarter-wave layer21. The passivation layer 40 prevents the second electrode layer 33 frombeing damaged during a process of manufacturing the quarter-wave layer21.

In one embodiment, the passivation layer 40 can be formed of an organicor inorganic material. The inorganic material can include a metal oxide,a metal nitride, a metal carbide, a metal oxynitride, or a compound oftwo or more of these materials. The metal oxide can include a siliconoxide, an aluminum oxide, a titanium oxide, an indium oxide, a tinoxide, an indium tin oxide, or a compound of two or more of thesematerials. The metal nitride can include an aluminum nitride, a siliconnitride, or a compound of these materials. The metal carbide can includea silicon carbide, and the metal oxynitride can be a silicon oxynitride.In addition, the inorganic material can include silicon or a derivativeof silicon and one or more of the above-described metals, and can alsoinclude diamond-like carbon (DLC).

The organic material can include an organic polymer, an organometallicpolymer, a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer, and/or an acryl resin. Moredetailed descriptions of the structure and effect of the structure arenot provided below since the structure, except the locations of thequarter-wave layer 21 and the linear polarizing layer 22, and the effectof the structure are substantially identical to those of a previousembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a topemission type organic light emitting display apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 shows an example ofa structure having a quarter-wave layer 21 and a linear polarizing layer22 formed between a reflection film 34 and an organic light emittingdevice 30. An enlarged view of portion H of FIG. 17, that is, a moredetailed structure of the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG.18. A plurality of electrode units 12 are formed on the quarter-wavelayer 21. In each of the electrode units 12, a surface that faces afirst electrode 31 on which external light may be incident has a widthsmaller than that of the opposite surface of the electrode unit 12 thatfaces the quarter-wave layer 21. Here, external light entering fromabove the organic light emitting layer 30 is polarized into a linearlypolarized light having a polarization direction substantially parallelto a transmitting axis of the linear polarizing layer 22 as a result ofpassing through the linear polarizing layer 22, is transformed to acircularly polarized light rotating in a first direction as a result ofpassing through the quarter-wave layer 21, and is transformed to acircularly polarized light rotating in a second direction as a result ofbeing reflected by the reflection film 34. The circularly polarizedlight rotating in the second direction is transformed to a linearlypolarized light having a polarization direction substantiallyperpendicular to the transmitting axis of the linear polarization layeras a result of re-passing through the quarter-wave layer 21. As such,the linearly polarized light re-passed through the quarter-wave layer 21cannot pass through the linear polarizing layer 22. Therefore, thereflected external light cannot be seen from the outside.

A surface of the electrode unit 12 that faces the incoming externallight has a width smaller than that of the opposite surface of theelectrode unit 12. Thus, the reflection of the external light by theelectrode units 12 can be reduced (or minimized).

In one embodiment, an organic light emitting display apparatus can beformed such that a quarter-wave layer 21 can be formed on a reflectionfilm 34, an organic light emitting device 30 can be formed on thequarter-wave layer 21, and a linear polarizing layer 22 can be formed onthe organic light emitting device 30.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of abottom emission PM type organic light emitting display apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the organic light emitting display apparatus of FIG. 19, a linearpolarizing layer 22 and a quarter-wave layer 21 are sequentially formedon a substrate 20, and an organic light emitting device 30 is formed onthe quarter-wave layer 21. An enlarged view of portion I of FIG. 19,that is, a more detailed structure of the linear polarizing layer 22, isshown in FIG. 20. A plurality of electrode units 12 are formed on thesubstrate 20. In each of the electrode units 12, a surface that facesthe substrate 20, that is, the surface that faces the incoming externallight has a width smaller than that of the opposite surface that facesthe quarter-wave layer 21.

As shown in FIG. 19, a first electrode 31 having a stripe shape (whichmay be predetermined) is formed on the quarter-wave layer 21, and aninner insulating layer 35 is formed on the first electrode 31.Separators 36 for patterning an organic light emitting layer 32 and asecond electrode 33 are formed in a vertical (or height) direction onthe first electrode 31. The organic light emitting layer 32 and thesecond electrode 33 are patterned to cross the first electrode 31 atregions between the separators 36. In one embodiment, a sealing memberis formed on the second electrode 33 to seal the organic light emittingdevice 30 from exposure to external air. In one embodiment, the organiclight emitting layer 32 and the second electrode 33 can be patternedwithout use of the separators 36.

As depicted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, as in previouslydescribed embodiments, since the linear polarizing layer 22 and thequarter-wave layer 21 are sequentially formed on the substrate 20, thelinear polarizing layer 22 and the quarter-wave layer 21 can reduce (orprevent) the reflection of external light that enters from a bottom sideof the substrate 20, and can reduce the overall thickness of the organiclight emitting display apparatus.

In one embodiment, a surface of the electrode unit 12 that faces theincoming external light has a width smaller than that of the oppositesurface of the electrode unit 12, thereby reducing (or minimizing) thereflection of external light.

In other embodiments, the respective structures shown in FIGS. 5 and 7can similarly be applied in a PM type organic light emitting displayapparatus.

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of abottom emission AM type organic light emitting display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 21, a thin film transistor (TFT) is formed on an uppersurface of a substrate 20. At least one TFT is formed in (or at) eachpixel of the bottom emission AM type organic light emitting displayapparatus, and the TFT is electrically connected to an organic lightemitting device 30.

In more detail, a linear polarizing layer 22 and a quarter-wave layer 21are sequentially formed on the substrate 20. An enlarged view of portionJ of FIG. 21, that is, a more detailed structure of the linearpolarizing layer 22 is shown in FIG. 22. A plurality of electrode units12 are formed on the substrate 20. In each of the electrode units 12, asurface that faces the substrate 20, that is, the surface that faces theincoming external light, has a width smaller than that of the oppositesurface of the electrode unit 12 that faces the quarter-wave layer 21.

A buffer layer 41 is formed on the quarter-wave layer 21, and asemiconductor layer 42 having a pattern (which may be a predeterminedpattern) is formed on the buffer layer 41. A gate insulating film 43formed of SiO2, SiNx or the like is formed on the semiconductor layer42, and a gate electrode 44 is formed on an upper region (which may be apredetermined region) of the gate insulating film 43. A gate electrode44 is connected to a gate line that applies an On/Off signal to the TFT.An interlayer insulating layer 45 is formed on the gate electrode 44,and a source electrode 46 and a drain electrode 47 are respectivelyconnected to a source region and a drain region of the semiconductorlayer 42 through contact holes. In one embodiment, the TFT formed in theabove manner is protected (or covered) by a passivation film 48.

A first electrode 31 that acts as an anode electrode is formed on thepassivation film 48 and a pixel define layer 49 covering the firstelectrode 31 is formed of an insulating material. After an opening(which may be of predetermined dimensions) and/or location is formed inthe pixel define layer 49, an organic light emitting layer 32 is formedin a region defined by the opening and/or location. A second electrode33 is formed to cover the entire pixel (or entire pixels).

In an AM type structure, the linear polarizing layer 22 and thequarter-wave layer 21 are sequentially formed on the substrate 20, andthe linear polarizing layer 22, and the quarter-wave layer 21 can reduce(or prevent) the reflection of external light entering from a bottomside of the substrate 20 of FIG. 21.

Also, in each of the electrode units 12, a surface that faces theincoming external light has a width smaller than that of the oppositesurface of the electrode unit 12. Thus, an area of the electrode units12 for reflecting the external light is reduced. As a result, thereflection of the external light is reduced, thereby increasing contrastof the AM type organic light emitting display apparatus. In oneembodiment, the reflection of the external light can further be reducedif the electrode units 12 are blackened.

In the bottom emission AM type organic light emitting display apparatus,in one embodiment, the linear polarizing layer 22 and the quarter-wavelayer 21 can be formed on any suitable surfaces of the substrate 20, theTFT, and the organic light emitting device 30 as long as the linearpolarizing layer 22 is disposed to face the incoming external light andthe quarter-wave layer 21 is disposed to face the organic light emittingdevice 30. That is, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 7, after the quarter-wavelayer 21 and the linear polarizing layer 22 are formed on a surface (oropposite surfaces) of a substrate 20, a TFT and an organic lightemitting device 30 can be formed on the linear polarizing layer 22and/or the quarter-wave layer 21 (or the quarter-wave layer 21 and/orthe linear polarizing layer 22 can be disposed between boundary surfacesformed by layers of a TFT).

In one embodiment, instead of forming the passivation film 48 on the TFTusing an organic or inorganic material, the linear polarizing layer 22and the quarter-wave layer 21 can be sequentially formed on theinterlayer insulating layer 45 to act as the passivation film 48.

FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a top emissionPM type organic light emitting display apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

A reflection film 34 is formed on a substrate 20, a quarter-wave layer21 and a linear polarizing layer 22 are sequentially formed on thereflection film 34, and an organic light emitting device 30 is formed onthe linear polarizing layer 22.

An enlarged view of portion K of FIG. 23, that is, a more detailedstructure of the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG. 24. Aplurality of electrode units 12 are formed on the quarter-wave layer 21.In each of the electrode units 12, a surface that faces the incomingexternal light, that is, the surface that faces a first electrode 31 hasa width smaller than that of the opposite surface of the electrode unit12 that faces the quarter-wave layer 21.

The first electrode 31 is formed in a stripe pattern (which may be apredetermined stripe pattern) on the linear polarizing layer 22. Aninner insulating layer 35 is formed on the first electrode 31.Separators 36 crossing the first electrode 31 are formed on the innerinsulating layer 35 for patterning an organic light emitting layer 32and a second electrode 33. The organic light emitting layer 32 and thesecond electrode 33 are patterned to cross the first electrode 31 atregions between the separators 36. In one embodiment, a sealing memberis formed on the second electrode 33 to protect the organic lightemitting device 30 from exposure to external air. In one embodiment, theorganic light emitting layer 32 and the second electrode 33 can bepatterned without use of the separators 36.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, external light entering from theoutside is not reflected, thereby increasing contrast of the PM typeorganic light emitting display apparatus, and an overall thickness ofthe organic light emitting display apparatus can be reduced.

Also, in each of the electrode units 12, a surface that faces theincoming external light enters has a width smaller than that of theopposite surface of the electrode unit 12. Thus, the reflection ofexternal light by the electrode units 12 is reduced (or minimized),thereby increasing contrast.

In embodiments of the present invention, the respective structures shownin FIGS. 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 can be similarly applied to a topemission PM type organic light emitting display apparatus.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bottom emission AM typeorganic light emitting display apparatus according to another embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 25, a TFT is formed on a top surface of a substrate20. At least one TFT is formed in (or at) each pixel of the organiclight emitting display apparatus, and the TFT is electrically connectedto an organic light emitting device 30. The structure of the TFT issubstantially identical to the structure of that shown in FIG. 21, and,thus, a more detailed description thereof will not be provided below.

A passivation film 48 for covering the TFT is formed on the TFT. Areflection film 34 is formed on the passivation film 48. A firstelectrode 31 that acts as an anode electrode is formed on the reflectionfilm 34, and a pixel define layer 49 for covering the first electrode 31is formed of an insulating material. After forming a opening (which maybe of predetermined dimensions) and/or location in the pixel definelayer 49, an organic light emitting layer 32 is formed in a regiondefined by the opening and/or location. A second electrode 33 is formedto cover the entire pixel (or entire pixels).

As depicted in FIG. 25, in the present embodiment, a linear polarizinglayer 22 and a quarter-wave layer 21 are sequentially formed on asurface of a sealing member 50 that faces the organic light emittingdevice 30. An enlarged view of portion L of FIG. 25, that is, a moredetailed structure of the linear polarizing layer 22, is shown in FIG.26. A plurality of electrode units 12 are formed on the quarter-wavelayer 21. In each of the electrode units 12, a surface that faces theincoming external light, that is, the surface facing the sealing member50, has a width smaller than that of the opposite surface of theelectrode unit 12 that faces the quarter-wave layer 21.

The linear polarizing layer 22 and the quarter-wave layer 21 can reduce(or prevent) the reflection of external light that enters from above thesealing member 50 in FIG. 25.

In one embodiment, in each of the electrode units 12, a surface thatfaces the incoming external light has a width smaller than that of theopposite surface of the electrode unit 12. As a result, the reflectionof external light is reduced, thereby increasing contrast of the AM typeorganic light emitting display apparatus.

In other embodiments, the respective structures shown in FIGS. 9, 11,13, 15, and 17 can similarly be applied to a top emission AM typeorganic light emitting display apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to an organic lightemitting display apparatus, but can also be applied to various flatpanel display apparatuses that use an inorganic light emitting device, aliquid crystal display (LCD) device, or an electron emission device as alight emitting device.

A polarizer according to embodiments of the present invention and alight emitting display apparatus having the polarizer can be used toincrease contrast and visibility of the light emitting displayapparatus.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. A polarizer comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of electrodeunits separated from each other on the substrate and formed in a stripepattern, wherein each of the electrode units comprises a first surfacefacing the substrate and a second surface opposite the first surface,the first surface having a width smaller than a width of the secondsurface.
 2. The polarizer of claim 1, wherein the electrode unitscomprise at least one of aluminum, silver, or chromium.
 3. The polarizerof claim 1, further comprising a blackened layer on surfaces of each ofthe electrode units for absorbing external light.
 4. A method of forminga polarizer, the method comprising: forming a plurality of electrodeunits separated from each other in a stripe pattern on a substrate; andblackening surfaces of the electrode units using a chemical process,wherein each of the electrode units comprises a first surface facing thesubstrate and a second surface opposite the first surface, the firstsurface having a width smaller than a width of the second surface. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the blackening surfaces of the electrodeunits comprises: removing oxides from the surfaces of the electrodeunits; and processing the surfaces of the electrode units using asolution comprising nitric acid, potassium permanganate, and coppernitrate.
 6. An organic light emitting display apparatus comprising: asubstrate; an organic light emitting device formed on the substrate andadapted to display an image; a sealing member formed on the organiclight emitting device; a quarter-wave layer formed on one of thesubstrate, the organic light emitting device, or the sealing member; anda linear polarizing layer formed on one of the substrate, the organiclight emitting device, the sealing member, or the quarter-wave layer,wherein a distance between the linear polarizing layer and a location atwhich the image is displayed is smaller than a distance between thequarter-wave layer and the location at which the image is displayed, andwherein the linear polarizing layer comprises a plurality of electrodeunits, each of the electrode units having a first surface facingincoming external light and a second surface opposite the first surface,the first surface having a width smaller than a width of the secondsurface.
 7. The organic light emitting display apparatus of claim 6,wherein the image is displayed towards the substrate, the quarter-wavelayer is formed on the linear polarizing layer, and the organic lightemitting device is formed on the quarter-wave layer.
 8. The organiclight emitting display apparatus of claim 6, wherein the image isdisplayed towards the substrate, the quarter-wave layer is formed on thelinear polarizing layer, the linear polarizing layer is formed on thesubstrate, and the organic light emitting device is formed on thequarter-wave layer.
 9. The organic light emitting display apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the image is displayed towards the substrate, thequarter-wave layer is formed on a first surface of the substrate, theorganic light emitting device is formed on the quarter-wave layer, andthe linear polarizing layer is formed on a second surface of thesubstrate, the second surface of the substrate being opposite the firstsurface of the substrate.
 10. The organic light emitting displayapparatus of claim 6, wherein the image is displayed towards thesubstrate, the organic light emitting device is formed at a firstsurface of the substrate, and the quarter-wave layer and the linearpolarizing layer are sequentially formed on a second surface of thesubstrate, the second surface of the substrate being opposite the firstsurface of the substrate.
 11. The organic light emitting displayapparatus of claim 6, wherein the image is displayed towards the sealingmember, the quarter-wave layer is formed on the organic light emittingdevice, and the linear polarizing layer is formed on the quarter-wavelayer.
 12. The organic light emitting display apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a passivation film formed between the organic lightemitting device and the quarter-wave layer.
 13. The organic lightemitting display apparatus of claim 6, wherein the image is displayedtowards the sealing member, the quarter-wave layer and the linearpolarizing layer are sequentially formed on a surface of the sealingmember opposite a surface of the sealing member on which the organiclight emitting device is formed.
 14. The organic light emitting displayapparatus of claim 6, wherein the image is displayed towards the sealingmember, the quarter-wave layer is formed on a surface of the sealingmember facing the organic light emitting device, and the linearpolarizing layer is formed on a surface of the sealing member opposite asurface of the sealing member on which the quarter-wave layer is formed15. The organic light emitting display apparatus of claim 6, wherein theimage is displayed towards the sealing member, the linear polarizinglayer is formed on a surface of the sealing member facing the organiclight emitting device, and the quarter-wave layer is formed on a surfaceof the linear polarizing layer facing the organic light emitting device.16. The organic light emitting display apparatus of claim 6, furthercomprising a reflection film interposed between the substrate and theorganic light emitting device, wherein the image is displayed towardsthe sealing member, the quarter-wave layer is formed between thereflection film and the organic light emitting device, and the linearpolarizing layer is formed on the organic light emitting device.
 17. Theorganic light emitting display apparatus of claim 6, wherein theelectrode units comprise at least one of aluminum, silver, or chromium.18. The organic light emitting display apparatus of claim 6, furthercomprising a blackened layer on surfaces of each of the electrode unitsfor absorbing external light.
 19. A flat panel display devicecomprising: a substrate having a plurality of pixel areas definedthereon; and a linear polarizing layer disposed on the substrate, thelinear polarizing layer comprising a plurality of electrode units, eachof the electrode units having a first surface facing incoming externallight and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surfacehaving a width smaller than a width of the second surface.
 20. The flatpanel display device of claim 19, wherein the linear polarizing layerfurther comprises a blackened layer on side surfaces of each of theelectrode units for absorbing the external light.